High Schools Get Pro Quality Scoreboards from Watchfire

High schools throughout the Midwest are upgrading their football stadiums with professional quality digital sports displays, including six schools from Ohio to Iowa that have added video boards and virtual scoreboards from Watchfire Signs this fall.

“High schools are taking a page out of the pro team playbook and upgrading to digital stadium signage as a way to ramp up the fan experience and provide enhanced sponsorship opportunities,” said Kyle Dines, vice president of sports and indoor at Watchfire Signs.

Some of the stadiums receiving Watchfire upgrades include:

• Stargel Stadium in Cincinnati serves as the home field for seven Cincinnati Public School football teams: Taft, Aiken, Gamble Montessori, Hughes STEM, Riverview East, Shroder and Woodward. The new $10 million start-of-the-art outdoor complex has seating for 3,000 and features a weight room and locker room. The stadium features a new 16mm, 7’x11’ Watchfire video scoreboard specified by Griffin Sports.
• The Pit in Cincinnati, a historic 10,000 seat stadium, recognized by USA Today as one of the nation’s 10 great places to watch a high school football game. The stadium is home to Elder High School, an all-male, college-preparatory high school. The stadium’s new 16mm 3’x16’ video display is located above the alumni section, and is used to promote school events, thank sponsors, and enhance fan excitement. Griffin Sports designed the sign.
• East Kentwood Stadium in Kentwood, Mich., which features a football field and track and field facilities. The 7,500 seat stadium replaced its mono-color digital sign with a huge 14’x32’ virtual scoreboard with video capabilities. The sign was designed by Praise Sign Co.
• Oak Grove Football Field in Oak Grove, Mo., which installed a new Watchfire virtual scoreboard and audio system. The 16mm scoreboard measures 12’x 24’.
• John Wall Field in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, which launched its new Watchfire virtual scoreboard at this year’s homecoming game. Paid for by the booster club, the new 16mm, 14’x25’ virtual scoreboard was designed by CR Signs.
• Bishop Watterson High School in Columbus, Ohio, which made $3 million in upgrades to the stadium used for soccer, field hockey and football. The virtual scoreboard is 8’x15’ and was designed by Kessler Sign Co.

“Fans and sponsors increasingly expect a digital experience even at the high school level,” said Dines. “In addition, facilities managers like that virtual scoreboards can be easily programmed to be used for any sport or event.”

Watchfire stadium video displays are engineered for all-weather, outdoor sports use. Their rapid refresh rates, high-contrast LEDs, wide-angle viewing and control room integration bring a professional experience to fans of all sports. Partnered with Ignite Sports software, the signs can be easily operated by students and volunteers.